Out-Law News 1 min. read

Local government minister re-iterates policy on traveller sites and the green belt


Permanent and temporary traveller sites are "inappropriate development in the green belt" and "planning decisions should protect green belt from such inappropriate development", Local Government Minister Brandon Lewis has said.

Lewis said that the sites are not in line with the National Planning Policy Framework and that Secretary of State Eric Pickles also opposes such use of land. "The Secretary of State wishes to re-emphasise this policy point to both local planning authorities and planning inspectors as a material consideration in their planning decisions," he said in a ministerial statement.

"The Government’s planning policy is clear that both temporary and permanent traveller sites are inappropriate development in the green belt and that planning decisions should protect green belt land from such inappropriate development," he said. "I also noted the Secretary of State’s policy position that unmet need, whether for traveller sites or for conventional housing, is unlikely to outweigh harm to the green belt and other harm to constitute the 'very special circumstances' justifying inappropriate development in the green belt."

The Government had previously said that during the six month period from July 2013 it would consider for recovery any appeals involving traveller sites in the green belt. Lewis said this period will now be extended.

"The Secretary of State remains concerned about the extent to which planning appeal decisions are meeting the Government’s clear policy intentions, particularly as to whether sufficient weight is being given to the importance of green belt protection. Therefore, he intends to continue to consider for recovery appeals involving traveller sites in the green belt," said Lewis.

"Ministers are considering the case for further improvements to both planning policy and practice guidance to strengthen green belt protection in this regard," he said. "We also want to consider the case for changes to the planning definition of ‘travellers’ to reflect whether it should only refer to those who actually travel and have a mobile or transitory lifestyle". 

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